Juliette got to visit all of her relatives in Kentucky this past week. We had a blast! Our first stop was in Louisville to hang out with her Daddy's side. We visited Cave Hill Cemetery where Colonel Sanders (a.k.a. the king of fried chicken or as his epitaph says "Founder of the Kentucky Fried Chicken Empire") and James Beauregard Beam (otherwise known as "Jim") are buried.  We love a good cemetery! (And obviously Juliette does too!)

Later that day, we took Pappaw out for his birthday dinner at a cool place on the Ohio River in Louisville called Mike Lennig's. 

After dinner, we took Pappaw to the Waverly Hills Sanatorium (no, we didn't check him into a mental hospital).  I have to say this was my favorite part of our vacation.  Waverly Hills Sanatorium is a HUGE, old, dilapidated, haunted building that was used as a hospital for treating people with tuberculosis.  I had seen the episode of Ghost Hunters (check it out here... www.syfy.com) where they investigated the paranormal activity at Waverly Hills and I couldn't wait to see for myself!  Unfortunately, we did not experience anything out of the ordinary. 

The next day was Juliette's cousin Olive's baby shower (which you can see here...Baby Olive's Shower).  Juliette had a great time meeting all her Louisville relatives!  Aunt Jenny & I made a side trip to get some of the world's best ice cream (black raspberry chocolate chip!!!) after everyone left.  We were just going to get cones for ourselves, but we ended up buying an entire ice cream pie.  It's a good thing we don't have Graeter's in Florida!

The next day we headed up I-71 to Northern Kentucky to spend some time with Juliette's Mom's side.  We had dinner at Longneck's Sports Grill (which is owned by my Aunt Joyce & Uncle Gary) where we met up with the Schroeder's.

On Monday, we headed to Indianapolis to spend the day with my brother and his wife (after a quick run into the gift shop at the Creation Museum to buy some souvenirs!).

On our last day in Cincinnati, we went with Aunt Jenny, Uncle Ryan and Baby Jake to the Cincinnati Zoo.  After that we stopped at one of THE coolest places on earth, Jungle Jim's.  If you are ever in Cincinnati, you HAVE to go to Jungle Jim's.  Plan on being there at least 2+ hours.

We had a great time and are sad vacation has come to an end...man are we tired!  Josh is going to kill me when he sees this picture...my bad ;)  Till next time Kentucky!

Today, Juliette got to meet lots of her extended family in Louisville at her Cousin Olive's baby shower.  Aunt Jenny's (Olive's Mom) shower was a pink and green turtle fiesta (with a taco bar!).  It was a hot and steamy Kentucky afternoon but everyone had a great time!  We can't wait to meet Olive!  Check out Olive's parent's blog sometime! (www.ourbabyolive.com)  

Juliette is blessed to have one of the best father's out there!  He is so patient with her and just adores her.  I knew he would be an awesome dad when we were dating and he has proved that.  I cannot imagine life without him.  You are the most wonderful father to Juliette!  We are both so lucky to have you in our lives!

Here's what Juliette got Daddy for Father's Day...a book that she wants him to read her.

A Barbie card...cause what girl doesn't love Barbie?!?!

A donut cake...cause every good daddy deserves a donut cake! Duh!

And she made an appointment for Daddy to go with Mommy to get his first massage! (While Auntie Em baby-sits!  A win-win for everyone!)  Happy 1st Father's Day Lovee/Daddy!


I'd also like to share some pics of my dad who left us way too soon.  He was such a great man and I cherish the 19 years I had with him.  I wouldn't be the person I am today without him.  I know he's up there watching over us!

Juliette went to the doctor for her four month appointment and shots.  Daddy went with her this time.  We learned our lesson last time and gave her some Tylenol before getting her shots.  Daddy said she was a good little trooper and only cried when she got the shots. (Even though she looks absolutely miserable in the picture below.)  She is now measuring in the 24th percentile in height and 11th percentile in weight.  That would make her close to officially being a munchkin.  

On another note, Juliette is now 11 lbs. 11oz.!  If you know me well, you will know I have a thing with 11:11 ;)

p.s. Daddy is now the mean parent

It's hard to believe that Juliette is already 4 months old!  And what a happy little girl she is!

She couldn't decide on her outfit so we did two this month!

We headed to another of my favorite places to eat today...Hash House A Go Go.  We drove two hours to eat there.  It's THAT good.  If you have never been to one, you are really missing out!  I recommend you find one and go as soon as possible.  Josh & I stumbled upon one in Las Vegas a few years back.  It was love at first bite.  It's been featured on numerous Food Network and Travel Channel shows.  The portions are ginormous!  We're talking one meal will last you two days in left overs!  And they have a tractor in the lobby!  Who doesn't love that!  Check out their menu (click here)...I want EVERYTHING on it! 

Today I had the sundried tomato, basil and goat cheese "Scramble".  (The picture does not do it justice.  It's basically scrambled eggs with sundried tomatoes, basil and goat cheese with a side of mashed potatoes and the world's largest buttermilk biscuit.)  It was delish!  My favorite thing I've had so far is Andy's Sage Fried Chicken Benedict.  It's pretty incredible and enough food for two people!  Anyways, go if you are ever in a town that has one.  You won't be disappointed!

Today we went to one of my all-time favorite places...DeLeon Springs State Park in DeLeon Springs, Florida.  It was a beautiful day of fresh air, happy people and the world's best make-your-own pancakes (Old Spanish Sugar Mill).  We walked around and took in the sights while we waited to be called to eat.  We can't wait to go back when Juliette can swim and go for a boat ride!

p.s. I call Juliette "Cheekie" because she is getting some serious chub on her cheeks...and I LOVE it!  I'm sure she will despise her nickname when she gets older.  

And the award for longest dreads goes to...

Juliette likes yellow...at least her mom is hoping she does.

How sweet is this little girl!  She makes my heart melt!  

I found a new app for my phone...Perfect365.  I've had some fun with it.  Please note: all pictures have been altered through the app, not in real life.  I would never put makeup on a baby.  Juliette is not allowed to wear makeup until high school.  If you ask her dad, he'll tell you she isn't allowed to wear makeup until she's 30.

Unfortunately, no one is safe...

I even had fun with myself!

Juliette had an exciting weekend!  She got to go to the beach for the first time and she got to hang out with Cousin Leah, Jeremy, Conner & Nicole!  She didn't get to experience the water yet since she still isn't supposed to be out in the sun (she stayed under the umbrella the entire time).  She did enjoy looking around and all the people watching.  I picked up on a common trend this season...bikinis with fringe.  Everywhere you looked there was fringe!  I'm not sure if I'm a fan of it or not.  This was my first outing in a bathing suit after childbirth...your body sure does change after you give birth!  Things are in different places than they used to be!  It's also a TON more work to now go to the beach.  Before baby, all it took was a towel, chair and a bottle of water.  Now, we have umbrellas, toys, cooler (for her milk of course! ...and beer for Daddy), stroller, sunblock, diaper bag, etc.  We did have a great time and can't wait to go back!

Here she is...ready for the beach!

Chillin' with Cuz Leah!

In other news (if you read my previous post this will come as no shock to you...), Juliette's first American Girl Doll arrived today!  I was watching the Today Show last week and there was a segment called "Jill's Steals & Deals" on there.  One of the "Steals & Deals" was a $175 Bitty Baby package for only $68!  Score!  So...I have officially started my Christmas shopping for Christmas 2014 :)  (I know I have a problem!)

And just so you know...if you are ever without a bib (or in my case, too lazy & tired to move), boobie pads work great for catching slobber!